Typewriting machine



May 25, 1925. 1,539,285

H. H. vlcKERs -TYPEWRI'LING MACHINE Filed Jan. 5. 1 923 TypewritingMachines, of which the follow- Patented Mayl 26, 1925.

UNITED STATES 1,539,285 PATENT OFFICE.

HARY n, vIcxERs, oFcoRONA, NEW YORK, AssrGNoR rro UNnRRWooD TYPEWRITERooMPANiL or NEW YORK, N. Y.,

A CORPORATION or DELAWARE.

TYPEWRITING MACHINE Application filed January 5, 1923. SerialNia-610,746.

a citizen of the United States, residingin Corona, Long Island, in thecounty of Queens and State of New York, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Ving is a specification.

This invention relates to typewriting machines, and is hereinillustrated as applied to an Underwood bookkeeping machine.

In certain classes of manifolding work, it is found desirable to omitcertain items on the original sheet of a plurality of super `name of theinsured and make a carbon copy 0n a record-sheet which is used withsuccessive policies until exhausted. While a policy and the record-sheetare superposed both the name of the insuredand the' address aile typed..It is undesirable, however, to have the address appear on the policy.

In carrying out the invention, use may be made of a ribbon having theusual black field anda white or blank field. Ordinarily the ribbonmechanism is so set as to vibrate the black field to the printing pointduring typing operations..

l/Vhen the: zone or column is reached in which the typing is to beomitted on,` the outer sheet and ribbon copies are to be made on aninner or record sheet, the ribbon mechanism is automatically shifted tovibrate the white field to the `printing point when typing is effected.To this end, provision may be made ofa special or color-controlling stopmounted on the carriage, and ofv such length as to be effective for asgreat a part of the carriage-travel as is necessary. Upon movement ofthe carriage to the proper position, the color-controlling stop shiftsthe ribbon mechanism to make the white or blank field effective andholds the mechanisin so shifted until l the carriage passes out of thezone, whereupon the ribbon mechanism is permitted to return to theposition for typing in black. p y

`It may be desired at times to have the in' a zone or column in whichtyping is ordishown, type-bars 11` -around a platen 14 journaled narilyeffected throughthe white field of the ribbon. To this end, provisionmay be made in the automatic ribbon-controlling mechanism of a leveractuableby a color-stop'and an interponent normally actuable by thelever, but shiftable to a position to be free of said lever. For suchshifting of the interponent, provision .may be made of a special key andsuitable means actuable thereby. A latch may also be provided to detainsaid special or interponent-shifting keyvin actuated position to renderthe ribbon mechanism free of the automatic control by the carriage. y

HA latch-operating key may also be proyided for moving the latch toineffective position.

Other features inafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a skeleton perspective View,showingthe invention applied to so much of an Underwood bookkeepingmachine as and advantages will hereis necessary for the purpose ofillustration.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevation, partly in section.

Figure 3 is a detail view, color-indicating device at the machine.

Upon the actuation front of the of character-keys, not areA swungupwardly and rearwardly to Acause types 12 thereon to strike through aribbon 13 to make ribbon impressions on a ywork-sheet passing by means'of its axle 15 in a platen-frame forming part of acarriage 17, thelatter being supported at its rear on a rail 18, for movementtransversely of the machine.

When a type-bar 11- approaches the end of its typing movement, a `heel19 thereon strikes a universal bar 20, forming part of showing the auniversalframe '21' supported at its rear.'

end by a rocker 22, and forces the frame 21 rearwardly, therebyactuating escapement mechanism,.not shown, to cause the carriage 17 totake a step-by-step letter-feeding movement. Each rearward movement ofthe frame 21 also serves to lift a ribbon-vibrator 1 23, through theupper end of whichithe ribbon 13 is threaded,l to lposition the ribbonto be struck -by one of the types at the printing line. :Y p

As herein disclosed, the ribbon 13 has an upper black'lield throughwhich typingis l la;

usually effected, and a lower white or blank field which may be broughtto the printing line by givino' the vibrator 23 an abnormal movement.ior'this purpose, provision is made of a lever 24 pivoted' at 25 andhaving a pivotal connection at its forward end with the lower end of theribbon-vibrator 23. The rear arm of the lever 24 extends upwardly fromthe pivot 25 and is provided at its right side with a pin 26, and at itsleft side with a pin 27 closer to the pivot 25 than the pin 26. A frameor shifter 28 is transversely slidable on the universal frame 21, and isprovided with slots at its sides, so that, when moved to its leftwardposition, -the `pin 26 will extend into the corresponding slot. Vhen theparts are in such positions, rearward movement of the frame 28 with theuniversal frame 21 will rock the lever 24 by means of the pin 26 andlift the ribbon-vibrator 23 to cause typing through the black upperfield 29 of the ribbon.

When, however, the frame 28 is moved to the right to cause the pin 27 topass through the left-handslot o f the frame 28, movement of theuniversal frame21 rearwardlyA will obviously cause a greater lifting ofthe vibrator 23 and cause the types, when operated, to strike the lowerwhite field 30 of the ribbon 13, thereby preventing ribbon impressionson the work-sheet lying to the rear of the ribbon. If, however, aplurality of superposed work-sheets with interleaved carbons are inposition on the platen, carbon copies of4 the typing Will be effected onall of the work-sheets at the rear of the first,

although no ribbon impressions are made onv the first sheet.

According to the present invention, provision may bemade of means forautomatically controlling the position of the frame 28 to determinewhether or not ribbon impressions shall be made on a work-sheet at therear of the ribbon 13. Preferably use ismade of a special stop 31 havingtwo forked members 32 to fit over a rack-bar 33l mounted on arms 34extending rearwardly from the carriage 17. The two members 32 are at aplurality of letter-spaces apart, the spacing being suiiicient tocorrespond to a column of the outer work-sheet in which no ribbonimpressions are to be made, and the members 32 are connected by a member35 having a rearwardly-extending iiange 36.

It should be noted that the rack 33 may be the usual rack-bar on whichtabulator-stops are mounted, so as to co-oprate with counter-stops 37when the latter are lifted by tabulator-keys, not shown. i

Normally the frame 28 is connected with the lever 24 in the mannerindicated in Figure 1, but, upon movement of the carriage into a zonecorresponding to the position of the controlling stop 31, the .flange 36will engage a dog 38 on a lever 39 and rock the latter about its pivot40. This movement of the lever 39 draws upwardly a link 41 to actthrough an arm 42 to rock a shaft 43, mounted on brackets 44, againstthe action of a helical spring 45 having one end connectedwith a fixedmember 46 and the other connected with the shaft 43. The rockingmovement of the shaft 43 is transmitted by means of an arm 47 on theshaft 43 and by a link 48 to a bell-crank 49 pivoted at 50 on a bracket51. The forwardly-extending arm 52 of the bell-crank 49 projects under apin or projection 53 on a vertical link 54 uided at its lower end in aslot 55 formed 1n a plate 56 attached to a fixed part of the machine andpivoted at its upper end to an arm 57 fixed on a shaft 58. Such rockingof the shaft 58 is trans- 'and no ribbon impression will be effected bysuch typing.

It may be desirable at `times to have ribbon impressions appear on thework-sheet in a zone or column in connection with which the ribbon isordinarily shifted to the white or blank field. To this end, provisionmay be made of a keyv 61, which, when pressed rearwardly, acts through alink62 to rock a lever 63 about its pivot 64 and against the action ofa. spring 65 connected at one end to the link 62 and at the other end tothe lever 63. Such movement of the lever 63 causes a cam 66 on the freeend thereof to engage the lower end of the link 54 and force itforwardly in the slot 55 against the action of a spring 67 connected atone end to the link 54 and at the other end to the bracket 51, thuseffecting a separation between the pin 53 and the arm 52 of thebell-crank 49. It should be noted that the arm 52 is so shaped on itslower side as to facilitate the passage thereby, in an upward direction,of the pin 53 if the latter is carried'below said arm 52.

To hold the key 61 in its depressed or rearward position, provision" maybe made of a latch68 to be pressed downwardly, against the action of aspring 68, by-a pin 69 on the link 62 as the link moves rearwardly, andto catch the pin 69 when the with the latch-1 nected with the member 72in any 'suitable manner. As herein disclosed, the key 74. is shown asmounted on a shank 75, provided at its lower end with flanges to engagelon opposite sides of the member 72, the

arm 82 which is urged inadownward ditw l port, at the printingsuperposed Work-sheets and interleaved carrec'tion by a spring 83connected at its lovver end to a fixed pin 84, the spring 83 tending tomaintain the frame 28 in its -normal position.

Preferably the dog is provided with an inclined surface 85 to be engagedby the flange 36 on the stop 31, thus facilitating the actuation of thelever 39' by the stop 31. In order to prevent interference by the' dog38 with the carriage 17 in the return movement.- ofthe latter, the dog38 is mounted so as to be sWungLabout a ivot 86 to `i'neffectiveposition when struck by the flange 36I during the rearward movement ofthe carriage. Normally the dog 38 is held in effective position againsta pin 87 on the lever 39 by means of al springl 88.

Variations may be ,resorted `to Within the scope of the invention, andportions of the yimprovements may be used Without others.

Having thus described my invention,` I

claim l. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a traveling carriage,a platen to supine, a plurality of bons, types to 'press against the.platen at the printing line to make ribbon impressions on the outsideWork-,sheet and carbon imthe printing line to make ribbon impressions onthe outside Work-sheet and carbon impress1o.-s on the otherWork-sheets,carriage- ',controlled means to prevent impressions from being made onthe outside Work-sheet during part ofthe making of carbon copies onthejother or lnner Work-sheets in a certam part of the carrlage travel,and means position of the carriage, when desired.

3. In a typenjriting machine, in combination, a platen to support, atthe printing line, Ia plurality of superposed. work-sheets andinterleaved carbon's, types to press against the'platen at the printingline to make ribbon impressionsfo'n the outside Work-'Sheet and carbonimpressions on the other Work-sheets, 'and means operated durator toprevent impressions from being made 1n predetermined columns of theout-` slde Work-sheet during the making of car- .bon copies on theother'or inner work-sheets.

4. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a platen, types toeo-operatevvith said platen atthe printing point, a ribborp comprisingan inked field 4and an uninked shielding field, ribbon-controlling meansnormally acting to cause ribbon impressions to be made on an outerWork-sheet 'during typing, and means operated by the travel of thecarriage automatically to modify the action of the ribbon-controlling.means to cause the uninked field to become effective at yapredetermined point and so to prevent the making of impressionslon theouter sheet. l l

5. Ina typewriting machine, in combina` tion, a platen, typestoco-operate with said platen at the printing point, a ribbon comprisingan inked field andI an uninked shielding field, ribbon-controllingImeans normally acting to cause ribbon impressions to be made on an outerWork-sheet during typing, means operated automatically at apredetermined portion of the carriage travel to modify the action of theribbon-controlling means to prevent the making 'of impressions, andmanual means for rendering said automatic means ineffective.

)pressions to be effected irrespective of the` Iing typing Withoutattention from the operr 6. In a typevvriting machine, in combination, aplaten, types to co-operate with said platen at the printing point, aribbon comprising an inked field `and an uninked shielding field,ribbon-controlling means normally acting to cause ribbon impressions tbemade onV an outerWork-sheetduring typing, means operated by the travelof the carriage automatically to modify the action of theribbon-controlling means to, prevent the making ofimpressions, vmanualmeans for rendering. said automaticmeans ineifective, and a latch actingto prevent the return of said automatic means` to effective condition.

7. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a platen, types toco-operate with said platen at the printing cpoint, a -ribbon comprisingan inked field and an. uninked shielding field, ribbon-controllingmeansx normally acting to cause ribbon inyipiessions l to bel made @onan outer Work-sheet during typing, means operated by the'travel of they.

` for rendering'said automatic means ineffective, a latch acting toprevent the return of said automatic means to effective condition, and afinger-piece to release said latch.

8. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a traveling carriage, aplaten, a ribbon having an inked field and an iniinked shielding field,ribbon-vibrator means normally presentingpthe inked field of the ribbonat the printing point, and controlling means sliiftable by the carriageto cause said vibrator-means to present the uninked shielding Afield ofthe ribbon at the printing point and arranged to restore theribbon-vibrator means to normal condition when released by the carriage.

9. In a-typewriting machine, in combination, a traveling carriage, aplaten, ribbonvibrator means normally presenting one longitudinal fieldof a ribbon'at the printing point, and means to modify/the action ofsaid vibrator means to cause another longitudinal field to be presentedat the printing point, said modifying means comprising apivotally-mounted arm, a depending link pivoted at its upper end t0 thefree end of said arm, a carriage-actuated train of mechanismA to liftsaid link, and manual means to swing said link to disconnect it fromsaid train.

l0. In a typewriting machine, in combination, a traveling carriageaplaten, ribbonvibrator means normally presenting one longitudinal fieldof a ribbon at the printing point, and means to modify the action ofsaid vibrator means to cause another lon'- gitudinal field to bepresented at the printing point, said modifying means comprising apivotally-munted arm, a depending link pivoted at its .up-per end to thefree end. of said arm, a carriage-actuated train of mechanism to liftsaid link, manual means to swing said link to disconnect i't from saidtrain, a key, key-actuated means to ,swing said link to free the samefrom said train, and a latch for said key.

11. Iii a typewriting machine, in combination, a traveling carriage, aplaten, ribbon-vibrator means normally presenting one longitudinal fieldof a ribbon at the printing point, and means to modify the action ofsaid vibrator means to cause another longitudinal field to be presentedat the printing point, said modifying means'comprising apivotally-mounted arm, a depending link pivoted at its upper end to thefree end of said arm, a carriage-actuated lever,

` means operated by said lever' to lift said ,'Llink, manual means toswing said link to disconnect it from said lifting means, a.

key-, key-actuated 'meansi to swing said-link to freethe same from saidlifting its upper n'dptovary the irmvement'offsa'idI,v

a latch for said key, and a `second key for releasing said latch.

12. In a typewriting machine, in combina.- tion, a traveling carriage, aplaten, types to press against the platen at the printing point to makeribbon impressions on the outer of two superposed work-sheets and acai'- boii impression on the inner slieet,and'1neans for preventing themaking of impressions on the outer sheet during typing in,apredetermined coluinn thereof, said preventing means including a.carriage-operable member held in operated position during the passage ofthe carriage through said column, a second member normally actuable bythe first member, but shiftable to ineffective relation therewith, and aspring for holding the second member in effective relation with thefirst member.

13. In atypewriting machine, in combination, a traveling carriage, aplaten, types to press against the platen at the printing point to makeribbon impressions on the outer of two superposed work-sheets and acarbon impression on the inner sheet, and means for preventing themaking of impressions on the outer sheet during typing in apredetermined column thereof, said preventing means including acarriage-operable member held in operated position during the passage ofthe carriage through said column, a second member normally actuable bythe first member, but shift-able to ineective relation therewith, aspring for holding the second member -in effective relation with thefirst member, a finger-piece, and means actuable by said finger-piecefor shifting the second member out of effective relation with the firstmember.

,14. In a typewriting machine, in combina'- tion, a traveling carriage,a platen, types to press against thelplaten at the printing point tomake ribbon impressions on the outer of two superposed work-sheets andacarboii impression on the inner sheet, and means for preventing themaking of impressions on the outer sheet during typing in apredetermined column thereof, said preventing means including acarriage-operable member held in operated position during the passage ofthe carriage thro-ugh said column, a second member normally actuable bythe first member, but` sliiftable to ineffective relation therewith, aspring for holding the second member in effective relation with thefirst member, a fingerpiece, and cam means actuable by said finger-piecefor shifting the second member out of effective relation with the firstmember..

15. In atypewriting machine, in combination, atraveling carriage,ribbon-vibrating means havinga normal and acfrreater movetak pivoted atribbon-vibrating means, a pin on said link, the end of said arm, the armbeing so .sha ed a guide having aslot in which the lower on its lowerside that the pin may readily 10 en d o f said link extends, a spring tohold pass thereby in the upward direction.

-sald link at one end of the slot, a lever hav- HARRY H. VICKERS.

ing the free end of one of its arms underlying said pin,earriage-actuable means to op- Wtnesses: l

erate said lever to lift said link, and means MARION R. MCCAFFREY, toshift said link to move the pin beyond J ENNm P. THoRNE.

